One of the biggest names likely to get traded before the deadline in February is Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. A recent three-team trade proposal by Bill Simmons has the Warriors sending Kuminga to the Chicago Bulls.
Kuminga has not played since November 12 against the San Antonio Spurs, missing a total of seven games and counting. He was diagnosed with bilateral patellar tendinitis, according to Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard.
The injury was worse than initially thought, but coach Steve Kerr told reporters on Tuesday that Kuminga participated at a recent 5-on-5 scrimmage. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old forward has no timetable for a return.
3-Team Trade Proposed by Bill Simmons
On a recent episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” the longtime NBA analyst proposed a three-team trade involving the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls. Simmons believes this deal would help out all three teams in the long run.
Here’s what The Ringer founder suggested:
Warriors receive: Daniel Gafford and an expiring contract from Chicago
Mavericks receive: Coby White
Bulls receive: Jonathan Kuminga
“The moment White came back to Chicago, it kind of screwed them up. I’m not positive they need him. I actually think they probably need another wing and more explosiveness,” Simmons said, via Newsweek.
Simmons added that White is set to become a free agent, so it might not be in their best interest to give him a new contract after paying Josh Giddey last summer. As for the Mavericks, they get a scoring guard capable of filling in for Kyrie Irving until he’s healthy.
White is also a cheaper option if the Mavericks decide to rebuild around Cooper Flagg and trade Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson. On the Golden State side of things, Gafford gives them a much-needed size to contend in the Western Conference.
“If they could turn Kuminga into Gafford somehow — I’m not going to say they’re going to make the Finals, but I think that at least gives them a puncher’s chance to win a couple rounds,” Simmons said.
However, Gafford will be an in-demand commodity in the trade market and could at least be worth a first-round pick. He also signed a three-year, $54 million extension this past offseason.
Kuminga’s Contract Deemed Best Trade Chip
After a summer-long stalemate, the Golden State Warriors signed Jonathan Kuminga to a two-year, $46.8 million extension. Kuminga has a team option for next season, giving the Warriors or any other team that acquires him some control.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Kuminga’s current contract is considered by many around the NBA as one of the “best trade chips.” He’s not eligible to get traded until January 15, 2026, but he’s expected to have some suitors. He was previously linked to the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings last summer.
Ricko Mendoza of Golden State of Mind opined that Kuminga’s value took a hit after getting demoted back to the bench after a strong start to the season. His current knee injury didn’t help his stock, but the Warriors could use the next month and a half to increase his value.
Before going down with his injury, Kuminga was averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 47.8% shooting.
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